Some people call them cardstock
kits, others call them laser cut kits, but we just use the wordsmodel railroad buildings to
describe these printable paper models. Basically you download the plans or templates in PDF forma
to your computer and then print them out and glue them onto some cardstock or cardboard (you can
use the card from a cereal pack). The plans are then ready for assembly.

You can save the PDF file to a
disk or removable USB stick if you choose. That way, at a later date, you can print out more copies
of the same plan if you want to. This doesn't breach copyright rules as long as you don't sell or
give away the plans to someone else. That would be a clear legal breach.

These structures will look great
when positioned on a layout with track, trains, scenery, people, bridges, tunnels, and a backdrop
helping to bring the scene to life.

The Place in Model Train
History for the
N Gauge Steam Engines

By hobbyist Dave Walker

In the storied and colorful history of model
trains, there is a special place for the N Gauge steam engines. Even today there are many N
scale steam engines along side the many diesel engines on the market. One of the first that
came out of Europe was the Arnold Rapido 0-6-0T Steam Switcher in the 1960’s. This was
followed by many other steam engines.

Some of the other popular N scale steam
locomotives in 1960’s included the Arnold Rapido 2-6-0 Steam Locomotive, 4-6-2 Pacific and a
4-6-4 Hudson. When Arnold declared bankruptcy they sold the assets to Rivarossi. Then when
Rivarossi had troubles the assets were sold to Hornby who still makes Arnold Products today
including the 4-6-2 Pacific and 4-6-4 Hudson.

Toward the end of the 1970’s Con-Cor was selling a
Rivarossi steam engine that sported motors and drives that were much improved. Con-Cor
continued to offer a wide variety of N gauge trains including many with steam engines and
manufactured by Mehanotehnika, Rivarossi, Kato, Fleishmann, and Roco. For example in 1980
they released the popular 4-8-8-4 Big Boy Steam Locomotive, and the Con-Cor Southern Pacific
4-6-4 Steam Engine.

Atlas Tool Company then began to distribute a full
line of N gauge trains in the late 60’s with both steam and diesel engines made by
Mehanorehnika and Ricarossi. Atlas also offered steam switchers in this same time frame
including the Saddletank Switcher Atlas 0-4-0 Steam Switcher (Rivorossi) and the Tank
Switcher. The Atlas RSC2 engine was made by Mehanorehnika as was the Atlas EMD
SD45.

By 1977, Rivorossi was introducing a new crop of
steam engines that included the 2-8-4 Berkshire, the 2-8-8 ELS, the 2-8-2 Heavy Mikado,
4-6-2 Heavy Pacific and the 2-8-4 Bershire. Then they sold the Dockside Switcher and the
rerelease of the SW 1500 that was manufactured originally for Atlas. Some of these
engines used Roco and Atlas tooling. The Rivarossi NYC Dreyfuss Hudson Steam Locomotive was
also made in this time frame.

Minitrix produced several steam engines including
the 4-6-2K4 Pacific, the 0-6-0ld Timer steam engine and 0-6-0 switcher and the 2-20-0
Decapod. There was an all metal 0-6-OT prototype steam locomotive early on from Minitrix.
This engine was boxed and labeled “Little Donkey” when sold in the United States until the
end of the 1990’s.They also packaged and sold the Evening Star Deluxe Train Set with Minitrix
2-10-0 Steam Locomotive. All Minitrix products were imported to the United States, first by
American Tortoise then by Model Power from the 1970’s until 1980 when Con-Cor began imported
the Minitrix steam engines and other products.

Then the Associated Hobby Manufacturers (AHM)
began to market N scale trains including N gauge steam engines that were made in Italy by
Lima. They were called minitrains and were oversized even though they were advertised as N
scale. Once again the train importer ran into difficulties and reorganized as AHM by Regal
Way. Then IHC (International Hobby Corporation) took over until they discontinued in 2009.
This same line is still offered today by Con-Cor as Big City Hobbies. In this AHM group there
was the AHM Q1B 2-6-4T Steam Locomotive.

Bachmann Brothers came into the N scale field in
1968 with trains made in Hong Kong until the Kader Group purchased them in 1980s. Then Kader
changed their name to the more familiar and more anglicanized Bachmann name. The headquarters
in now in Philadelphia and they make the Bachmann Docksider Steam Switcher, Bachmann USRA
0-6-0 Steam Switcher with Tender, and the Bachmann Prairie 2-6-2 Steam Locomotive. In 1990
they added several steam engines such as Bachmann 4-8-4 Steam Locomotive with 52' 12-Wheel
Oil Tender, Bachmann Norfolk & Western Class J 4-8-4 Steam Locomotive.

Life-Like
came into the market with Life-Like 0-6-0T Saddle Tank Switcher (1990-present) Life- Like is still
an avid player in today’s market. Then Model Power absorbed American Tortoise with the Model Power
Shifty Sam 0-6-0 Tank Locomotive. The American company Lone Star put out the Handsome Lone Star
EL66 0-8-0 Steamer with Rubber Band Drive in 1964. Lionel also produced several N gauge steam
engines. Visittrain clubsfor more information on this topic and to share the joy of running
trains.